Head custodians to be outsourced in Roxbury

ROXBURY TWP. – The seven head custodians in the grades K-12 school district, along with some of their supporters from the community, don’t like the school board’s plan to outsource their jobs.

When the Board of Education met on May 22, many contracts were up for reinstatement, but the one that drew the most response from the public was the board’s plan to replace several head custodians with employees of Aramark, a private firm.

Ultimately, the board’s majority voted in favor of outsourcing the head custodians. The vote was 6-2 in favor.

Voting for the measure were Board President Theresa D’Agostino, John Moschella, Maureen Castriotta, Carol Scheneck, Ron Lucas and Liz D’Abbraccio. Voting no were board members Chris Rogers and James Monahan.

“Last year the board advised 27 custodians in February that their contract would expire June 30, 2011,” interim Superintendent James O’Neill explained.

“By notifying them in February, the district met a contractual obligation to advise them 120 days prior to doing the outsourcing. The board decided, at that time, to keep a lead custodian in each of the seven buildings,” O’Neill said.

“This year, the board decided by a vote of 6-to-2 to have Aramark take over the seven lead positions, as well, effective immediately,” O’Neill explained.

“These seven individuals will also be paid for 120 days as stipulated in the contract, but will not be employed by the school district beginning July 1,” he said.

“The outsourcing has saved the district hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he added.

Several custodians and residents, however, spoke in the defense of the head custodians that are facing nonreinstatement beginning in September.

Joe Pinto, a custodian, defended the current head custodians by saying that there is a lack of communication with Aramark and that the handling of employees by the private firm is “poor.”

Members of the community expressed several thoughts, including that each custodian has been there for 20 years or more.

Some said they have been able to embrace change quickly and have adapted well, and others said most go above and beyond their job description.

Residents said the custodians show concern, make people feel safe, get along well with students and provide a positive influence on the children.

Many community members expressed thoughts that this is a “corporate takeover” and said that the district is better than that.

Contracts Renewed

Several contracts were also renewed.

Sage Educational Enterprises is to provide counseling services for special education students in Roxbury High School for the period Sept. 1 through June 30, 2013. The provider shall be paid at a rate of $169,300 per year.

This represents a rate increase from last year of $7,800. Sage Educational Enterprises will also be providing counseling to general education students in Roxbury High School for the period Sept. 1 through June 30, 2013. The provider shall be paid at a rate of $33,500. This represents no increase from last year.

Matheny Medical and Education Center has been hired to provide physical therapy services as set forth in student IEP’s. Services will be provided for the period of June 24 through Aug. 5, at a rate of $90 per hour.

This represents no increase from last year.

Helen Ogoff will provide occupational therapy services as set forth in student IEP’s. Services will be provided for the period June 25 through Aug. 3, at a rate of $85 per hour.

This represents no increase from last year.

AJL Physical and Occupational Therapy is to provide therapy services for the 2012/2013 extended school year and school year for the period July 1 through June 30, 2013. Services will be billed at the rate of $94 per hour. This represents no increase from last year.

Applied Behavioral Consulting, LLC is to provide behavioral consultative services to district students for the 2012/2013 school year. Services will be billed at the rate of $135 per hour and shall not exceed 50 hours per month. This represents no increase from last year.

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